The iPhone 4 is a phenomenal on-the-go camera. It takes wonderful pictures outside in the sunlight, and crisp, clear photos in the evening with the HDR setting. However, getting that perfect photo is really hard to do when you're holding on to the iPhone 4 with a shaky hand, which is why a mobile tripod is an excellent solution. Joby's new GorillaMobile for the iPhone 4 does just that, though if you're looking for a tripod that doesn't require its own case, you might want to look elsewhere.

The new Gorillamobile for iPhone 4 has been completely redesigned for the fourth generation device. Instead of a case that covers the entirety of the chassis, it's just a bumper that lines the outside edges of the device. It's lightweight and snaps on easily to your phone, and we were surprised by how durable it really was. Plus, the volume and power buttons on the bumper case stick out just right. However, we would have liked to see a case option that protects the iPhone 4's back end, if only for those rough and tumble users that actually take their devices with them while blazing the trail.

Joby's flexible Gorillamobile tripods are a staple of the brand, and in this instance nothing has really changed. It's easy to adjust, does all sorts of whacky orientations, and is perfect for either taking pictures, propping up the iPhone 4 for a FaceTime call, or even docking the phone for the night. The tripod also comes with two interchangeable clips--one for the iPhone 4 and another one for any other standard point-and-shoot camera. There are no magnets in the feet however, but that keeps the stand from attaching itself to other things when we pack it in our bags.

Mounting the iPhone was a bit tricky. Initially, we thought we could just snap on the tripod's rail to any part of the bumper case and have it slide right off. Instead, you have to mount it on the track that has a opening slit. To remove it, we had to pry off the entire bumper case, which took quite a bit of effort and frustrated us a bit. The track is located on the left side of the phone, which means if the app you're using only works in horizontal orientation to the right, you're out of luck. Despite this little complication, we like the way the iPhone 4 rested sturdily on the tripod.

Bottom line: The Gorillamobile tripod for the iPhone 4 is great for the mobile photographer who needs to take photos while away from his regular set up, but we weren't too keen on the fact that the case only had one horizontal orientation.

Gorillamobile Tripod for iPhone 4
COMPANY: Joby
CONTACT: www.joby.com
PRICE: $39.95
REQUIREMENTS: iPhone 4
Strong tripod with a multitude of orientations
Tripod doesn't come off too easily the way the case is built; case doesn't protect iPhone's back end